Amazon River cruises in Peru depart from Iquitos or Nauta , a port about 100 km from the city, and sail through the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve . They last between 3 and 8 days, with overnight stays on board, and each day includes boat trips to see pink dolphins, hike through the jungle, fish for piranhas, and visit local communities.
Of all the Amazon River cruise options departing from Iquitos, the most well-known are Zafiro, Delfin I, II, and III, Aria Amazon, Amazon Discovery, Amazon Explorer, and La Perla . They differ in size, cabins, cuisine, and price. In this article, we'll explore each one, including its route, itinerary, the best time to travel, and how to get there.
You can add activities before or after your cruise to complete your trip. Check out the excursions in Iquitos and combine your cruise with piranha fishing, visits to local communities, or stays in lodges .
Amazon River cruises from Iquitos: how they work
An Amazon River cruise from Iquitos is a trip on a riverboat with cabins, a dining room, and common areas. The boat stays anchored or travels slowly, and activities are done in smaller boats that navigate tributaries, lagoons, and channels that the larger boat cannot.
Most boats have few cabins, between 4 and 22, and accommodate a maximum of 8 to 44 passengers . Therefore, the service is personalized, and each group departs with a naturalist guide. Almost all packages include meals, drinks, excursions, equipment, and entrance to the reserve.
Where to embark: Iquitos and Nauta
Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and has no road connection to the rest of the country. It can be reached by plane from Lima or by river. It is the departure point for almost all cruises.
The departure time varies depending on the river level. During high water (December to May), boats usually depart from the port of Iquitos . During low water (June to November), they depart from Nauta , about 100 km from Iquitos and approximately a 2-hour drive. Don't worry about this change: the tour operators will arrange your transfer from the airport or your hotel.
How long is an Amazon River cruise from Iquitos in Peru?
Cruises are available for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and even 8 nights. The most common are the 3- and 4-night cruises, and the 7-night cruises. Cruises of 9 days or more are less frequent and usually also travel along the Ucayali River.
3 nights and 4 days: tour the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve with stops in communities and lagoons.
4 and 5 nights: add more time in the jungle and on the water, with more walks and visits.
6 to 8 nights: These include the Ucayali River, its confluence with the Marañón River, and more remote communities. The Zafiro cruise departs from Iquitos to the Amazon with this itinerary available.
What do cruises from Iquitos include?
Most packages include transfers, onboard accommodation, all meals, drinks, guided excursions, and entrance to the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve . They also provide rubber boots and rain ponchos.
Flights to Iquitos, medical insurance, and tips are not usually included. Recommended tips are between $20 and $30 per passenger per night for the crew, and an additional amount for the guides.
Which Amazon cruises depart from Peru: ships and differences
The boats departing from Peru fall into two categories: luxury boats, with spacious suites and gourmet cuisine, and mid-range boats, with simpler cabins and buffet-style menus. All sail through the same reserve and offer similar activities. The differences lie in the level of comfort, group size, and price.
Here we review the most sought-after boats. For each one, we indicate what distinguishes it and who it's a good option for.
Amazon River Cruise in Pacaya-Samiria with the Zafiro Ship
The Zafiro offers a 5-day, 4-night cruise on the Amazon River in the Pacaya-Samiria National Park . It's a luxury vessel with a bar, dining room, outdoor jacuzzi, fitness center, boutique, and massage room.
The package includes airport transfer, one night in a 5-star hotel in Iquitos before boarding, all meals, cocktails and natural juices, excursions, rain boots and ponchos, and entrance to the reserve . Flights and tips are not included. Below you'll find the complete itinerary, day by day.
Delfin I, Delfin II and Delfin III
The Delfin fleet is one of the best known on the Peruvian Amazon. It offers 4-day cruises on three boats of different sizes :
Delfin I : the smallest, with 4 spacious suites, private terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Delfin II : It has 14 suites with panoramic views, a massage room, and a gym. It was renovated in 2014.
Delfin III : the largest, with 22 cabins for up to 44 passengers. It is decorated with local materials and handmade fabrics.
It's a good option for those seeking luxury and personalized service, and who are willing to pay a high price . For reference, a 4-day cruise on the Delfin III starts from around €3,800 per person.
Aria Amazon
Aria Amazon is a luxury boat for 32 passengers . Its distinguishing feature is the menu, designed by Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, who works with ingredients from the region. Excursion groups are small and the guides are naturalists.
It's designed for travelers who appreciate fine dining and want a more personalized service. The cruise lasts 4 days.
Amazon Discovery
The Amazon Discovery is a 22-suite ship with a capacity for 44 passengers . It offers 6-night, 7-day cruises departing from Iquitos. Its itinerary includes Monkey Island, a hike along the Yarapa River , piranha fishing, a manatee rescue center, and the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers. It's the perfect cruise if you're looking for a full week and want to see more than just the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Amazon Explorer and Amazon Explorer
The Amazon Explorer is a 32-passenger ship with 15 suites . It operates 3, 4, or 7-night cruises during the high-water season . It is known for its small boat expeditions to less-visited areas and is a good alternative to larger ships.
If you're looking for an "Amazon Explorer" cruise, it's best to confirm the exact name of the ship and the cruise line with the operator, because there are several ships with similar names in Iquitos.
The Pearl and other mid-range options
La Perla is a boutique ship for 30 passengers, with 14 cabins ranging from 9 to 20 m² (Superior, with balcony, and Standard). It offers 3-night, 4-day and 6-night, 7-day cruises, always departing from Nauta. Meals, excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi, and park entrance are included.
Prices for 2026 range from $1,947 to $2,194 per person for the 3-night cruise, and from $3,795 to $4,254 for the 6-night cruise. Other mid-range options include El Manatí, Pure Amazon, and Amazonas.
Amazon River Cruise Itinerary in Peru: Five Days Aboard the Zafiro
The five-day Zafiro cruise is a good example of how a trip through the Peruvian Amazon is organized. Each day includes a boat trip, a hike or water activity, and a visit to a community or conservation center . Almost all cruises follow a similar format.
The itinerary varies slightly depending on the season and river level. The following is the official program for the Tangol cruise.
Day 1: Arrival in Iquitos and boarding
You'll be met at the airport and taken to the 5-star hotel, where your first lunch is served. In the afternoon, you'll board the Zafiro with a welcome cocktail and a meeting with the crew. Dinner is served on board.
Day 2: Dolphins, Puerto Prado and night safari
The second day explores the flora and fauna of the Amazon River, observing pink and gray river dolphins. Afterward, an excursion to Puerto Prado is undertaken to search for the Victoria regia, an aquatic plant with leaves that can measure over a meter in diameter. In the evening, a nighttime boat safari offers the chance to see tarantulas and caimans.
Day 3: Japan Lagoon, kayaking and suspension bridges
The day begins with a picnic breakfast at Laguna de Japón. Kayaking and swimming in the river are included. Later, a hike across suspension bridges winds through the trees. In the afternoon, there's a Peruvian cocktail demonstration, and in the evening, dinner with the captain.
Day 4: San Regis community and piranha fishing
On the fourth day, we visit the San Regis community, where a tree-planting ceremony takes place. Afterward, we go piranha fishing. At sunset, we watch the sun set from the river, and in the evening, there is live music on board.
Day 5: Nauta, Sapi Sapi lagoon and rescue center
On the last day, you'll visit Nauta by tuk-tuk and the Sapi Sapi Lagoon. After breakfast on board, you'll disembark and visit the Amazon Rescue Center (CREA), where rescued animals are cared for. Then you'll return to the airport or your hotel.
Amazon River cruise routes in Peru: Pacaya-Samiria, Marañón and Ucayali
A cruise on the Amazon River from Iquitos covers three main areas: the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the Marañón River, and the Ucayali River . The two rivers join near Nauta to form the Amazon River. From there, the river flows into Brazil.
The shortest cruises focus on the reserve and the Marañón River. The longest include the Ucayali River, its confluence, and more remote communities. All cruises are close to Iquitos and Nauta, but the area is vast and travels at a leisurely pace.
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve covers more than 2 million hectares and is the largest protected area of flooded forest in Peru. It is about a 2-hour drive from Iquitos, departing from Nauta .
Its waters are calm and teeming with fish. It's one of the best areas in the country to see pink dolphins, monkeys, birds, caimans, and the giant water lily . That's why almost all cruises stop there, and entry is included in the package.
Confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers
The Amazon River is born at the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers, near Nauta . There, the two rivers meet, their waters displaying distinct colors. Cruises of six nights or more often include a stop at this point.
It's a great place to understand how the Amazon is formed. It complements the reserve and is one of the reasons to choose the longer itineraries.
Yarapa River and Ucayali River
The Yarapa River is a tributary of the Ucayali, with calm waters and abundant wildlife. Longer cruises include hikes and boat trips along this stretch. The Ucayali is also explored on 6- to 8-night trips, with visits to communities like Vista Alegre.
Activities on a cruise trip through the Peruvian Amazon
Activities on a cruise through the Peruvian Amazon are done in small boats, kayaks, or on foot, always with guides . Two or three departures are scheduled per day, lasting between two and four hours. No experience is necessary, but good physical condition is recommended for the hikes.
The most common activities include wildlife viewing, night safaris, kayaking, piranha fishing, and visits to local communities. Luxury boats also offer welcome cocktails, talks, and shows.
Pink dolphins and water lilies
Amazon river dolphins are seen almost every day, especially on morning tours. Guides search for them in the lagoons and wide waterways. In some spots, you can swim near them.
The Victoria regia is a giant water lily that floats in calm lagoons. On some cruises, it's sought out on an excursion to Puerto Prado, and it's one of the iconic images of the Peruvian Amazon.
Night safari by boat
The night safari involves a boat trip with flashlights to see caimans, bats, frogs, tarantulas, and nocturnal birds. The caimans' eyes glow in the dark, and the guide points them out. It's one of the most memorable activities because the jungle transforms completely at night.
Kayaking and jungle hikes
Kayaking is done on calm lagoons, such as Laguna de Japón, with a guide. Jungle hikes last between 1 and 3 hours and include trails and suspension bridges. The guide explains the medicinal plants and animals.
Visits to riverside communities
The cruise ships visit communities such as Kukama Kukamiria, San Regis, and Vista Alegre . There, the inhabitants showcase their way of life, their crafts, and their cuisine. On some visits, trees are planted, and there is music or dancing.
It is advisable to ask permission before photographing people and to buy handicrafts directly from those who make them.
Piranha fishing
Piranha fishing in the Amazon is done with a simple rod and bait. It's a short activity suitable for all ages , and the guide teaches you how to land the fish safely. Almost all cruises include it.
Best time to take an Amazon cruise from Iquitos
You can navigate the river year-round, but the water level affects what you see and where the boat departs from . There's no single best time to go; it depends on what you want to do. The temperature is high year-round, and the humidity is also high.
A helpful tip: the driest season is from July to October, and this is usually the best time for wildlife viewing. Luxury cruise ships operate year-round, but their routes are adjusted.
High water season (December to May)
The river is higher, and boats depart from the port of Iquitos . You navigate through channels winding through the trees, reaching areas that are dry at other times of the year. It's a great time for kayaking and for spotting birds and monkeys high in the treetops. Rain is more frequent, so it's a good idea to bring a lightweight raincoat.
Low water season (June to November)
The water level drops, the lagoons become more concentrated, and there are more animals to see along the banks . Boats depart from Nauta. There are more opportunities for hiking and less rain in the afternoon. If you want to see more caimans and birds along the shore, this is the best time.
How to choose an Amazon River cruise in Peru
Choosing a cruise depends on how many days you have, how much you want to spend, and what kind of experience you're looking for . Luxury ships offer more comfort and smaller groups. Mid-range ships are more affordable and also cover the essentials.
It's worth comparing three things: the duration of the trip, the size of the boat, and what's included in the price. If it's your first time in the jungle, a 4- or 5-day cruise is enough to see the main sights.
Indicative prices for cruises from Iquitos
Prices vary depending on the season, cabin, and cruise line. For reference:
Mid-range (La Perla): from $1,947 per person for 3 nights.
Luxury (Delfin III): from around €3,800 per person for 4 days.
Trips of 6 to 8 days: between €3,700 and €7,150 depending on the ship.
Some cruises, like the Zafiro, do not publish a fixed fare and are quoted at the time of booking.